LIVING ABOVE THE FRAY
Part 5: Sharing What We’ve Learned
This past Sunday afternoon, after Katrina had already made a mess of South Florida, Gladys and I watched the news as the killer storm made it’s way across the Gulf, with its eye focused on the gulf coast. We, along with many of you and countless millions of others across the country, watched with the sadness and concern of storm- taught experience as pictures of traffic-clogged interstates played across the screen.
Even after the mayor had ordered the people to evacuate, as the storm continued to bear down on the city, we watched as reporters made their way down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, and stopped in bar after bar that was still open. I still remember Gladys calling to me and saying, “Gene, come listen to this.” The reporter had just interviewed a man and asked him why he remained behind, why he wasn’t evacuating?” The man sitting at the bar answered, “They have warned us and tried to scare us many times before, and it has always been a false alarm. I’m not leaving.”
Gladys said, “Gene, that’s just like what the Bible says.” In 2 Peter 3 we read “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’”
Many in the city would not believe the storm was coming and so did not flee. Some were too wrapped up in their drink to flee. Since the storm, we have been shocked by news of the looting, raping, and shooting that has taken place.
Now, when American Baptists first split into Northern Baptists and Southern Baptists, the Southern Baptists’ first missionaries were appointed to serve in 3 locations. We appointed missionaries to serve in Africa, among former slaves that had returned to that continent, we appointed missionaries to serve among the American Indians, and our other missionaries were appointed to serve in New Orleans. In the early 1900’s, Southern Baptists built a seminary in New Orleans, later renamed New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In the 2002-2003 school year, they trained nearly 1,900 preachers, missionaries, and music leaders at that school.
Imagine that! We have had missionaries in that city for over 100 years. At last count, we had nearly 1900 people in the city studying to be preachers, teachers, and missionaries; and yet to a certain extent, New Orleans continues to be a moral cesspool. Why? Why has the city continued that way?
I believe there are a number of reasons. First, there will always be people who choose not to accept the Gospel. Jesus Himself was cursed as He died. Second, I believe darkness attracts darkness. For some lost in sin, an immoral city like New Orleans, or San Francisco, or Los Vegas, serves as a magnet to their lusts and passions. So, there is a constant influx of lost people attracted to such places. But, I believe there is another reason, a reason many of us ignore. I believe many of us have forgotten the assignment Jesus gave us.
- Matthew 28:16-20.
In this passage, Jesus commands His followers, and that includes you and me, to make disciples. Not only are we to be disciples, but we are commissioned by God, to make other disciples. Once we have found the light, the path, the Way; once we know Jesus Christ, we are commissioned to be ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, introducing other people to our Savior.
Now, I believe there are several characteristics you can see in those who make disciples.
1) Those who make disciples live the life -
In order for us to make disciples, in order for people to be attracted to what we proclaim, we must first live it ourselves and then give the testimonies of satisfied customers.
Let me ask you my friend, are you living the life of a disciple? Are others attracted to what they see in your life?
A number of years ago a church member knocked on his preacher’s door and asked if he could talk to him. The preacher invited him in. The man took a seat and began his story. “Preacher, do you remember hearing about the death at the steel plant this past week?” “Yes, I heard about that,” the preacher said. “It was a terrible tragedy.” “Well,” the man continued, “I was there.” “Bob was working when suddenly there was an accident and the molten metal spilt on him. He began to holler. After a minute or so he began to cry and ask, ‘Someone, please tell me how to be saved. Someone, tell me how to be a Christian. I am going to die soon. I know that. But please, won’t someone tell me how to be saved. Won’t somebody, please tell me how to go to heaven?’ The man continued, I stood there with the rest of the men at the plant and watched him die, without saying a word.”
The preacher, confused, asked, “John, why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you tell him how to be saved? You’re a good man. You’re a faithful church member. You’re a leader in the church. Why didn’t you step up and say something? Why didn’t you tell him how to be saved?”
The man replied, “Because I have not lived that kind of life in front of the men at work. I haven’t lived the Christian life in front of those men. And so when I was needed the most, the life I lived in front of that man, closed my mouth to that man.”
My friend, if you are going to make disciples, you must first be a disciple. If you are going to be there when they need to the most, if you are going to share with people the most important news there is, you must live the life or the life you live in front of them will shut your mouth to them when they need you most.
Those who make disciples live the life.
2) Those who make disciple know the Gospel.
My friend, in order to lead others into discipleship, in order to share with others how to be saved, you must know the Gospel yourself.
What is the Gospel?
** Marker Board**
> Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
> Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
On Labor Day, September 8, 1974, at 3:36 pm Evel Kenievel, the daredevil of years past, attempted to jump across the Snake River Canyon. Many of you remember watching that jump. As his rocket car launched, 2/3’s of the way up the ramp, the drone chute accidentally deployed out the back of his car. 1/2 way across the canyon, it deployed the main chute and the car began it’s descent into the canyon. In spite of the publicity, in spite of the best efforts of a former NASA engineer, in spite of many people’s best hopes and expectations, the car with its passenger ended crossing only part way.
My friend, many people continue to try to cross the canyon which separates them from God through their own efforts. Some try church attendance, they end up in the drink. Others try giving, or good living, or joining a church or whatever. All of those efforts fall short. God provided the only means of crossing when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. The Bible says:
> John 3:16 For God so loved the world. That He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
> Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as the result of works, that no one should boast.
> John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
My friend, if you want to make a difference, you must live the life. If you want to make disciples, you must know the Gospel. If you want to make disciples you must know the stakes.
3) Those who make disciples know the stakes -
> Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed unto men once to die and then the judgment.
a. Eternal separation
b. Eternal joy
